India To Bolster Economic And Military Ties With Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar shake hands during a news conference following their talks in Moscow, Russia, Nov. 8, 2022.  

VOA: India to Bolster Economic Ties with Russia 

New Delhi — India will expand economic ties with Russia and continue to buy oil from Moscow, India's foreign minister said, pointing out that imports of discounted crude from Moscow have worked to its advantage. 

Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said during a visit to Moscow that as the world's third-largest consumer of oil, it is "our fundamental obligation" to ensure that Indian consumers have the "best possible access on the most advantageous terms to international markets." 

He made his comments after a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday.  

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WNU Editor: India is currently buying about a quarter of Russia's oil production. And they have a good thing going on right now .... India is Buying Up Cheap Sanctioned Russian Oil and Selling it to the U.S. and E.U. at Huge Profits. 

India To Bolster Economic And Military Ties With Russia 

India praises ‘strong and steady’ relationship with Russia as ministers meet -- SCMP  

Russia, India mull joint weapons production — Lavrov -- DW  

India says Russia oil deals advantageous as Yellen visits Delhi -- Reuters  

India Pledges to Buy More Russian Oil as West Seeks to Isolate Moscow -- The Libertarian Institute  

India to continue buying oil from Russia as ties deepen -- Al Jazeera

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu Tells China, India That Ukraine Is Planning A 'Dirty Bomb' Attack

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Russian Defense Ministry  

Moscow Times/AFP: Russia Tells China, India That Ukraine Planning 'Dirty Bomb' Attack 

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday reiterated claims that Ukraine is preparing a provocation using a "dirty bomb" in a video call with his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe, according to Moscow's Defense Ministry. 

"The situation in Ukraine was discussed. Army General Sergei Shoigu conveyed to his Chinese counterpart concerns about possible provocations by Ukraine with the use of a 'dirty bomb'," the ministry said in a statement. 

In a separate statement earlier on Wednesday, it said Shoigu also voiced the same "concerns" in a phone call with India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.  

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WNU Editor: Unlike Western leaders who outright dismissed Russia's claims, a different reaction from both India and China. From India .... Rajnath Singh warns against nuke use as Russia flags Ukraine's ‘dirty bomb’ threat (Hindustan Times). And from China the same remarks were issued. 

 Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu Tells China, India That Ukraine Is Planning A 'Dirty Bomb' Attack  

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu repeats 'dirty bomb' allegations to India and China -- Meduza  

Russian defense chief warns Chinese counterpart of Ukraine’s ‘dirty bomb’ false flag plot -- TASS  

Russian Defense Minister Shoigu Briefed Chinese Counterpart on Kiev's 'Dirty Bomb' Provocation: MoD -- Sputnik  

Russia says Shoigu discussed alleged Ukraine 'dirty bomb' threat with Indian counterpart -- Reuters  

Shoigu told Indian counterpart Ukraine could stage dirty bomb provocation — ministry -- TASS

India's PM Modi Told Russian President Putin At The SCO Summit That Now Was "Not A Time For War"

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a SCO Heads of State Council summit at the Samarkand Tourist Centre, Uzbekistan. TASS  

NDTV: Putin To PM Modi On Ukraine: "Understand Your Concern" 

India has not yet criticised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. New Delhi has been pushing for resolution of the crisis through dialogue. 

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday told Russian President Vladimir Putin that now was "not a time for war" on the sidelines of a regional summit as the Ukraine war enters its ninth month. "Excellency, I know today's time is not a time for war," PM Modi told Putin in Samarkand as the two leaders began their first face-to-face meeting since Moscow's forces invaded Ukraine. The comments from PM Modi came just a day after Putin acknowledged that China - Russia's key ally - had "concerns" over the conflict in Ukraine.  

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WNU Editor: Indian PM Modi may be concerned about the Russia - Ukraine war, but he still needs Russian resources .... India’s PM Modi says he’s keen to boost ties with Russia, including energy (CNBC). 

More News On Today's Meeting Between India's PM Modi And Russian President Putin At The SCO Summit  

India's Modi assails Putin over Ukraine war -- Reuters  

India's Modi Tells Putin Now Is 'Not a Time For War' -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Putin tells Modi he understands India's concerns over Ukraine conflict -- Reuters  

Russia to do everything to end conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible, Putin assures Modi -- TASS  

Putin tells Modi he wants Ukraine war to end as soon as possible -- Al Jazeera  

Putin tells India's Modi he wants Ukraine conflict to end 'as soon as possible' -- DW

More Cracks On Russian Sanctions

 

CNBC: India’s rupee-ruble trade arrangement with Russia may be ready in a week, says export body chief 

* India’s finance ministry and the Reserve Bank of India have not commented so far on the mechanism, which would let Indian exporters continue their business with Russia even after Western sanctions restricted international payment mechanisms. 

* There have been consultations between the central bank governor, the finance minister and banks, said A Sakthivel, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations. 

* However, continued trade with Russia risks angering Western nations, including the U.S., which have imposed sanctions on Moscow for its attack on Ukraine. 

India is expected to announce a payment arrangement that would allow trade with Russia to continue, the president of an Indian exporters’ association told CNBC’s “Street Signs” on Wednesday. 

The so-called rupee-ruble trade mechanism could come as early as next week, according to A Sakthivel, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).  

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Update #1: Russian oil sale to India complicates Biden’s efforts (Al Jazeera)  

Update #2: India buys 3 million barrels of Russian oil: report (The Hill)  

WNU Editor: India and China are not the only countries buying Russian oil .... Not just India & China, many European nations too: Who all are still buying Russian oil? (Times of India).

India Continues To Buy Russian Oil Despite Sanctions

India may bail out Russia by taking up an offer to buy crude oil and other commodities at a discount despite Western attempts to isolate Moscow through sanctions (pictured, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting in December 2021)  

Reuters: India's top refiner IOC buys 3 million bbls Russian Urals crude via tender -sources 

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Oil Corp, the country's top refiner, bought 3 million barrels of Russian Urals from trader Vitol for May delivery, trade sources said, its first purchase of the grade since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. 

Western sanctions against Russia have led many companies and countries to shun its oil, depressing Russian crude to record discount levels. IOC said in late February it would buy Russian oil on delivered basis to avoid any complication relating to fixing vessels and insurance.  

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WNU Editor: They will find a way around this problem (if not already) .... Cheap Russian Oil Makes India Scout for Payment Workarounds (Bloomberg). 

India Continues To Buy Russian Oil Despite Sanctions 

'Russia is offering oil at a heavy discount. We will be happy to take that': India looks to bail out Putin as it considers taking up Moscow's offer to buy crude oil at a reduced rate amid Western sanctions -- Daily Mail 

As West shuns Moscow, officials say India eyes more cheap Russian oil -- Reuters 

India hands Russia lifeline: Modi and Putin poised for huge deal to avert West's sanctions -- Express  

World’s third biggest oil consumer snubs calls to avoid Russian crude – media -- RT

Russia And India Sign Military Agreement Despite The Threat Of U.S. Sanctions

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (left) shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on December 6.  

Newsweek: Russia and India Sign Military Agreement Despite U.S. Threat of Sanctions 

Russia and India signed several agreements for military technical cooperation on Monday, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Twitter, in a move that could put New Delhi at risk of sanctions from the U.S. 

"India deeply appreciates Russia's strong support for India. We hope that our cooperation will bring peace, prosperity and stability to the entire region," wrote Singh. "Glad that a number of Agreements/Contracts/Protocols were signed pertaining to small arms and military cooperation."  

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WNU Editor: New Dehli feels confident that Washington will do nothing. India is too valuable to "tick-off".

Russia And India Sign Military Agreement Despite The Threat Of U.S. Sanctions 

India and Russia Expand Defense Ties, Despite Prospect of U.S. Sanctions -- NYTimes  

Moscow, Delhi sign deal to produce Kalashnikov assault rifles in India -- Reuters  

Russia, India Extend Military Cooperation Deal During Putin-Modi Summit -- RFE 

Russia, India sign agreement on military-technical cooperation till 2030 -- TASS  

Russia, India Sign Military Cooperation Agreement for Next Decade -- Sputnik

Russia Has Started To Supply S-400 Air Defence Systems To India Despite US Sanctions Risks

FILE PHOTO: S-400 air defense missile systems in Russia, 2018. © Alexey Malgavko/Sputnik 

 

Reuters: Russia starts missile supplies to India despite U.S. sanctions risk 

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has started supplying India with S-400 air defence missile systems, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday citing Dmitry Shugayev, the head of the Russian military cooperation agency. 

The supplies put India at risk of sanctions from the United States under a 2017 U.S. law aimed at deterring countries from buying Russian military hardware. 

"The first supplies have already been started," Interfax cited Shugayev as saying on Sunday at an aerospace trade show in Dubai. He said that the first unit of an S-400 systems will arrive in India by the end of this year. 

The $5.5 billion deal for five long-range surface-to-air missile systems, which India says it needs to counter a threat from China, was signed in 2018. 

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More News On Russia Starting To Supply S-400 Air Defense Systems to India 

S-400 Triumf: India Begins Receiving ‘Game Changer’ Russian S-400 Missile Defense System – Government -- EurAsian Times  

Russia starts delivery of 'game-changer' S-400 missile systems to India -- Times of India 

Russia Begins Supplying S-400 Air Defense Systems to India - Government -- Sputnik  

India may face US sanctions as it takes delivery of S-400 missile systems from Russia -- RT  

Russia Begins Delivery of S-400; All You Need to Know About the 'Most Advanced' Missile Systems -- News 18

India Says Russia's Missiles Don't Work

IAF Sukhoi-30 presently uses Russian air-to-air missiles.

NDTV: Outgunned By Pak F-16s, IAF Plans To Re-Arm Its Sukhois With Israeli Missiles

The Indian Air Force is looking at the I-Derby variant of the Israeli missile which was unveiled at the Paris Air Show in 2015.

In two years from now, the Indian Air Force's frontline Sukhoi-30 fighters may be re-armed with Israeli Derby air-to-air missiles after the jet's Russian-made R-77 missiles were found wanting in air combat operations over the Line of Control on February 27 this year.

Sources in the Indian Air Force told NDTV, "We already have the missile as part of the SPYDER (Surface-to-Air Missile) system. Integration (with the IAF's Su-30s) is the next step.''

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Update: India Says Russia's Missiles Don't Work (And Wants to Buy Israeli Ones Instead) (National Interest)

WNU Editor: Ouch!